Overwatch 2 Season 9 has indeed brought about significant changes to the competitive scene, with updates that have notably impacted all roles, particularly tanks and supports, due to the introduction of DPS passive and other adjustments. The meta now heavily favors DPS characters, with the DPS passive playing a significant role in shaping the battlefield dynamics.

The season introduced more health for heroes, larger projectiles, and a universal passive healing mechanism, which kicks in after a delay—2.5 seconds for supports and 5 seconds for all other roles. These changes have made the gameplay more dynamic, with a shift towards longer team fights and a greater emphasis on strategic positioning and map control, especially for tanks​​.

Tanks like Sigma and D.Va have emerged as strong picks due to their versatility and ability to adapt to the longer fight durations and the need for controlling space on the battlefield. Sigma, with his damage absorption and crowd control, and D.Va, with her mobility and burst damage potential, stand out as particularly effective in the current meta​

On the DPS front, heroes such as Tracer and Soldier: 76 have gained prominence. Tracer's mobility and self-healing make her a constant threat, especially for backline harassment, while Soldier: 76's consistent damage output and self-sustainability allow him to thrive even with reduced support healing​​.

The support role has felt the impact of the season's changes. However, some supports have adapted well to the new environment. Zenyatta and Lucio, for example, have risen to the top of the support tier, with Zenyatta benefiting from the DPS passive through his Discord Orb and Lucio's speed boost and mobility proving invaluable in the current dive-heavy meta​​. Other supports like Moira and Brigitte have also found their place, offering high survivability and anti-dive capabilities respectively​​.

Reinhardt kinda sucks now...

Reinhardt's adjustments in Season 9 included an increase in both health and armor, and his Rocket Hammer and Charge abilities received damage boosts​​. Despite these buffs, the current meta has not been kind to Reinhardt. The DPS passive, in particular, has shifted the game towards more damage-oriented play, reducing the effectiveness of raw healing output, which tanks like Reinhardt heavily rely on. The two-second healing debuff makes it challenging for heroes like Reinhardt, who depend on consistent healing to sustain high health and armor during engagements, to maintain their effectiveness on the battlefield​

Moreover, the dominance of hitscan DPS heroes due to increased hitbox sizes and the new healing reduction passive has made it difficult for Reinhardt to fulfill his role effectively. With hitscan heroes being able to apply almost permanent healing reduction to enemy teams, Reinhardt's ability to mitigate damage and protect his team is significantly hindered​​.

First and foremost, enhancing Reinhardt's ability to withstand the barrage of DPS attacks is crucial. Given the DPS passive's significant impact on healing reduction, one potential solution could be to fortify Reinhardt's armor or introduce a new mechanic that lessens the sting of these healing debuffs. This adjustment would allow Reinhardt to maintain his role as a steadfast protector amidst the chaos of battle.

Reinhardt's shield is emblematic of his protective prowess. In the current meta, bolstering its durability or hastening its recharge time could provide the necessary refuge for teammates against the increased damage output from adversaries. A more resilient shield could redefine frontline engagements, offering a beacon of safety for allies.

Please make Reinhardt great again...